The public is invited to help name the three Sumatran tiger cubs born at the National Zoo in Washington D.C. this spring.
The cubs, one male and two females, are the sixth litter of this endangered species ever born at the Zoo and the third litter for 13-year-old tiger Soyono.
From now through Aug. 21, the public can visit the zoos website to name Soyonos cubs by voting for their favorite names selected by staff at the zoos Great Cats exhibit.
The name choices are:
Male
Jati (JAH-tee) - Indonesian meaning teak.
Bejo (ba-JOE) - Javanese meaning lucky.
Guntur (goon-TURR) - Indonesian meaning thunder.
First Female
Kamboja (kam-BOE-jah) - Indonesian meaning a type of flower.
Maharani (mah-hah-RON-ee) - Indonesian meaning queen.
Mawar (mah-WAHRR) - Indonesian meaning rose.
Second Female
Kemala (ka-MAH-lah) - Indonesian meaning magic stone.
Melati (ma-LAH-tee) - Indonesian meaning jasmine.
Ndari (nDAR-ee) - Javanese meaning pretty or beautiful.
The winning names will be announced at the cubs public debut in September.
For more information or to vote, visits the zoos website, http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/GreatCats/tigercubs.cfm.
Posted: July 24, 2006, 5 a.m. EST